Category Archives: What’s In Your Heart?

Not I But HIM!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #483

10 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Humility, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Seeing Truth, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #483 Not I But HIM!!!

 

“But God forbid that I should glory,

save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world is crucified

unto me,

and I

unto the world.”   Galatians 6:14

We talked last time about “surveyors”—keeping our eyes on Jesus—the prize that Paul referred to in his letter to the Philippians.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:14 

Oh that we could understand the import of walking with Jesus—totally pressing toward HIS “mark”—totally desiring the “prize”, which is Jesus Himself. Oh, if we could stop being satisfied with that which is fleeting and pursue that which is eternal. It’s what Jesus expects us to do!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures

upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”     Matthew 6:19-21

So my simple question for today is, “Where is your treasure?” Have we bought into the modern cultural idea that “I” am the treasure and the world revolves around me? Or have we recognized the truth that only Jesus can satisfy the soul, the heart and the fulness of who God created us to be? ONLY JESUS! And He cares for us—HE gave Himself that we might have “abundant life” IN Him!

“Fear thou not;

for I am with thee:

be not dismayed;

for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee;

yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee

with the right hand of my righteousness.”    Isaiah 41:10

He will uphold me because I am HIS own, but I must remember something too:

“What? know ye not

that your body

is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There’s an old song by George W. Robinson, called ‘I Am His, And He Is Mine‘, and the last line of each verse says, “I am His and He is mine”! Oh that we could remember that as we go through each day, “ye are not your own….. ye are bought with a price…… therefore glorify God”! I fear that we live in a world that would rather sing:

“To ‘me’ be the glory—

  Great things ‘I’ have done—

  So love ‘I’ myself that God calls me ‘sun’—

All this because ‘I’ believe that–

 ‘I’ am the center of the universe

To ‘Me’! (and everyone else)”

A sad commentary that grabbed my heart just this morning as I was pondering what to share with you today, may we look up and pursue our Lord not self-aggrandizement! (Look it up!)

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee,

and not thine own mouth;

a stranger,

and not thine own lips.” Proverbs 27:1-2

All I can say to that is, Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Hummingbird Theology??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23

15 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Hummingbird Theology?, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23 Hummingbird Theology???

 

I love to watch the birds outside of my window. I have a birdseed feeder and a hummingbird feeder, and I love watching the birds that God created and enjoying their beauty, and learning from them. The hummingbirds fascinate me; they come again and again and take as much as they need and then return for more, as they need it. Sometimes they feed at one tap and leave, and other times a hummingbird will go to every tap on the feeder at one time. As I was watching them this morning, I couldn’t help but think about our spiritual life like the birds and the feeder. Whose feeder are we feasting at?

“Wherefore laying aside

all malice,

and all guile,

and hypocrisies,

and envies,

and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted

that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming,

as unto a living stone,

disallowed indeed of men,

but chosen of God,

and precious,

5 Ye also,

as lively stones,

are built up

a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”   1 Peter 2:1-5

If you notice, this passage begins with a “Wherefore”, which means we always ask ‘What’s it there for?’ (Any time the verse starts with a ‘therefore’ or a ‘wherefore’). Well, it simply means that we need to look back to see what was said earlier—so let’s do just that.

“Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth

and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.

The grass withereth,

and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord

endureth for ever.

And this is the word

which by the gospel

is preached unto you.”    1 Peter 1:23-25

We can grow in the Lord when we feast on “the sincere milk of the word”, and to do that we must spend time in The Word—just like that hummingbird—we must keep going back for the sustenance of life—The Word of God, which brings growth because it is the “word of the Lord” and it “liveth and abideth for ever”! Just like the new birth that Jesus imparts to us when we are born again “of God”! God’s Word is truth always, and it will help us to discern between truth and lies! And it is the standard of God’s judgment along with the blood of Jesus! (And remember that Jesus not only inspired the written Word, HE IS THE LIVING WORD!)

For the word of God is

quick, (alive)

and powerful, 

and sharper than any twoedged sword, 

piercing even to the dividing asunder 

of soul and spirit, 

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner 

of the thoughts 

and intents 

of the heart. 

13 Neither is there any creature 

that is not manifest 

in his sight: 

but all things 

are naked 

and opened 

unto the eyes of him 

with whom we have to do.“    Hebrews 4:12-13

God’s Word encourages us by discernment and bringing truth to light! It’s not just the judgment of God –which it includes—but it also leads us to Jesus, the Lord of Calvary for “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”! Our part is to respond in faith not only to the Gospel for salvation, but also to The Word of God and it’s ability to help us grow in grace and truth as we feast on it continually—just like that little hummingbird, he isn’t very big, but he gets the job done!

“Study

to shew thyself

approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not

to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

Paul goes on to instruct his young charge, Timothy, even further to rely on the value of God’s Word.

“And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration

of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:15-17

How valuable to us to know that God’s Word is what we need; and while there are those who question and even deny the veracity of The Bible, we can stand fast “in the evil day” knowing that The Word of God is God’s love letter to His children—those who are born again—as well as the conduit of God’s Spirit working in our world to bring people to the cross! It truly is “the word of the Lord” and it surely “endureth for ever”! “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Doxology by Thomas Ken), and I’ll praise Him forever for His Word, and the best way to praise Him for His Word is to read and study it faithfully, continually and purposefully!

Remembering that God’s Word is:

Profitable for—not in $ but in truth and character—

 Doctrine—truth for living—

 Reproof—showing us what is wrong—

 Correction—making the wrong right—

Instruction in Righteousness—prevention!

God’s Word helps us be all that God created us to be, and I love what Job says; it is something that I pray will ever be the desire of my heart. How about you?

“But he knoweth the way that I take:

when he hath tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot hath held

his steps,

his way

have I kept, and not declined.

12 Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words

of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”    Job 23:10-12

As we desire and feast on His Word, may the words of the Psalmist reverberate in our hearts—as we put The Word “in mine heart”!

“Thy word have I hid

in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O LORD:

teach me thy statutes.”   Psalm 119:11-12

As we hide God’s Word “in mine heart”, I believe the Psalmist would relate to a common adage we hear today (based on this very principle), “The Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from The Word!” The choice is yours and mine, yet it is a continual battle (as Paul talks about in Ephesians 6:10+) to maintain our focus on Jesus and His Word, but it is more than worth the effort. As I’ve been accused of in the past, “You only have one song!” —And may it ever be said of me that I only sing HIS song, for it’s Jesus and His cross, the only way to God and true life!

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony

of God.

2 For I determined

not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 

It’s all about Jesus, and I pray that you will join me in committing to draw near to Him continually. May we single-mindedly pursue Christ Jesus in all our ways. How? By keeping our eyes on HIM!!!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

And while Jesus is truly the “only way” to God for salvation, He is also the “only way” that we can live the victorious Christian life! He came that we might have abundant and victorious life in this world as well as the next!

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Jesus said it best:

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”   John 10:10-11

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:5

Remember the hummingbird—and stay at God’s feeder—The Word of God!!!

Amen and Amen!

Seeking To Receive Or Provide??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #454

18 Wednesday Apr 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, For Such A Time As This, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Perseverance, Salvation, The Only Way, The Same Yesterday, The Word, Thy Will Be Done, Trust God, Wait on the Lord, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #454 Seeking To Receive Or Provide???

 

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen……

6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them

that diligently seek him.”   Hebrews 11:1 & 6

When we follow Jesus, we are to be a people of faith! The author of the book of Hebrews describes faith for us; it’s not ‘pie-in-the-sky by-and-by’, but rather a sure confidence in an unfailing creator. It is “substance” and “evidence” that our God IS God; and time and time again throughout history HE has shown Himself faithful, and continues doing so still. His hand is present everywhere, in everything, but we often fail to recognize His presence and His work!

Abraham was one who recognized the call of God, and saw His hand at work in his life. But I’d like us to take a bit of a different approach to Abraham’s legacy than we normally do, and with the culture and climate of today, I think it a worthwhile study. We live in a “me” culture—a culture of ‘selfies’, me first, my needs, rights and entitlements take precedence over any other options around us. Yet Abraham had a different approach to life—not always doing it perfectly– but continually doing life by drawing closer to God, and pursuing that which was pleasing to HIM!

When called to leave his home, family and country, he went—not perfectly– but he went in the right direction, and grew more and more intimate with God on the journey. And that ought to be our pursuit! But there was a difference about Abraham that we often overlook amidst his success, affluence and influence.

“By faith Abraham,

when he was called to go out

into a place which he should

after receive

for an inheritance,

obeyed;

and he went out,

not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise,

as in a strange country,

dwelling in tabernacles

with Isaac

and Jacob,

the heirs with him

of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city

which hath foundations,

whose builder

and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10

Abraham (Abram first, till his name was changed because he believed in, and received the promises of God!) was looking for a city far beyond ‘Canaan’, yet his journey led to “a land” of the promises from God of; a land that would come to his descendants, rather than himself. That amazes me—this man set out on a journey to seek, pursue and find God and God blessed him, but not with things which we would often expect—God promised Abraham a land, a nation, and a people, and even more importantly a “seed”—the Messiah, who would come of Abrahams offspring. Yet Abraham never saw these promises fulfilled, but believing they would come–and they did—he accepted the promises of God and provided for those who would come after him, by his faith and dependence on God’s perfect provision. (See Gen. 15)

“Therefore sprang there even of one,

and him as good as dead,

so many as the stars of the sky in multitude,

and as the sand which is by the sea shore

innumerable.

13 These all died in faith,

not having received the promises,

but having seen them afar off,

and were persuaded of them,

and embraced them,

and confessed that they were strangers

and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things

declare plainly that they seek a country.”    Hebrews 11:12-14

While they were seeking “a country”, we often forget that God, who “is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”, calls us to look up—not around (Although God blesses us daily with “abundantly more” than we even recognize)—for what it is laid up for us, is in HIS kingdom and presence. We must tune our hearts and minds to consider those who come behind us, to leave a godly heritage over any earthly reward! Not a popular message, but one that I think we desperately need to hear today. Jesus Himself clearly reminds us to keep our focus heavenward, and not to be ‘earthbound’ by the foolish greed of the world. Abraham only ‘saw’ Isaac, Jacob and Esau in the flesh, but he believed that God’s Promise would come, and that his descendants would receive the ‘land’, that they would be a ‘nation’, and that the promised ‘Messiah’ would come of his heirs—heirs of not just an earthly land—but heirs of an eternal kingdom. He was concerned about providing an example of faith and obedience, more than the material things that he would leave behind! What about us?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures

upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”   Matthew 6:19-21

In closing this morning, let’s examine our own hearts. Where is ‘my’ treasure? Am I more concerned with receiving more ‘treasure’ or providing a heritage of faith that leads others to the cross? If you or I leave our children and family millions of dollars and no Jesus, what will they have? May we be faithfully living out the gospel in our daily lives, praying and yielding to God so that others see Jesus in us!!!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange

for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26

Will you join me in seeking Him today, and if you don’t know Jesus, He may be knocking at the door of your heart? If He is, won’t you open the door and let Him in, and begin this amazing journey of faith, creating a legacy of eternal life more than temporary riches?

“Behold, I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup

with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch MY Words, Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #439

23 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Free Speech?, Knowing God's Word, Speaking, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, Words Matter

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #439   Watch MY Words, Really???

 

We talk about the right to “Free Speech” in our country, and while we do have the “Freedom” of “Speech”, speech isn’t free. Speech comes with a cost! The words we choose to use—out loud—do have a cost: a cost to our relationships; a cost to the feelings of others; a cost to the influence that we bear and how it affects others–either for the good or for the worse; a cost of honor or shame; a cost of attention-be it good or bad attention. Yet our speech is often used without thought or regard for the effect of our words—we just don’t always ‘Think’ before we ‘speak’. So I’d just like us to take a few minutes this morning to remind ourselves to, as a favorite secular proverb says, “Watch your words, and keep them sweet, you never know, which ones you’ll eat!”

Our tongue can spread great joy and goodwill, or we can change the air around us with our lack of wisdom and self-control.

“If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”   James 1:26

Our words reveal to others who we really are and what we believe and feel. Jesus told us about this very thing.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”             Matthew 15:18-19

What we choose to speak with our “mouth” in reality will “come forth from the heart”; and while we may smile and say, “I’m just joking!”, people will eventually see that our motives are often less than pure! We who are following Jesus ought to speak out of a heart full of love for Him and others. And God’s love always does that which is best for the recipient! After all, He gave us the standard, “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “love thy neighbor as thyself”! And we all know that while the children shout “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” it is far from true, and “words” do hurt—often to the depth of the soul. So we ought to be careful how we use our words, for love makes a difference! James had a lot to say about the tongue.

“Even so the tongue is a little member,

and boasteth great things.

Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire,

a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue

can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.” James 3:5-8 

How about you and me? Are our words poison or blessing—are we uplifting others or putting them down? We are called to be a blessing to the world, not poison!

“Finally, be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life,

and see good days,

let him refrain his tongue from evil,

and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil,

and do good;

let him seek peace,

and ensue it.” 1 Peter 3:8-11

So may we each go forth today and render blessings with our words—never compromising the truth–but calling others to the cross, to the Savior who loves them so much that He gave His life for our salvation!!! May our words spread the peace of God with the world around us, rather than discord!

“And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”    Philippians 4:7-9

So “think on these things” today, and each day………and speak accordingly!!!

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”   Psalm 19:14

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

I’m Sorry! No I’m Not??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 25

14 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Forgiveness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.25 I’m Sorry! No I’m Not???

 

We see and hear so much “ugly talk” around us that is has become acceptable in most circles. Even with many Christians it has become acceptable to use crude, vulgar and unholy language, with a simple disclaimer of apology for “the language” content in whatever medium the language us used in—be it spoken or written! Well my friends, a preface of apology doesn’t justify ‘ugly talk’ anymore than if I apologized for my ‘violent’ behavior and swiftly began to kick you in the shins! It’s still wrong, no matter how many times I preface bad behavior with an apology. Scripture has a lot to say about our actions—and that is always the best place to start!

Jesus makes it clear that the problem isn’t the “mouth” it’s the heart.

“And Jesus said,

Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed

out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.” Mathew 15:16-20

What is “in” the heart will come “out” of the mouth! Whenever you squeeze something—whatever is “inside” will come out! And whatever is in a person’s heart will come out sooner or later, in one way or another—how sad that we have allowed ourselves to be deceived into accepting and approving of evil to accommodate the culture and please men. Isaiah tells us what God thinks of that kind of lifestyle, and while it is a lengthy passage, it is one from which we can benefit, when we take it to heart and allow God’s Spirit to touch our hearts with it.

“And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:

16 But the LORD of hosts

shall be exalted in judgment,

and God that is holy

shall be sanctified in righteousness.

17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity

with cords of vanity,

and sin as it were

with a cart rope:

19 That say,

Let him make speed,

and hasten his work,

that we may see it:

and let the counsel

of the Holy One of Israel

draw nigh and come,

that we may know it!

20 Woe unto them that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them that are mighty

to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!

24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff,

so their root shall be as rottenness,

and their blossom shall go up as dust:

because they have cast away

the law of the LORD of hosts,

and despised

the word of the Holy One of Israel.”   Isaiah 5:15-24

Even as we see all around us, men are claiming to be right because surely “God” would intervene if the scripture was true, but He hasn’t, so we are alright—in our own eyes and before “God”! They call evil good, and good evil; they are wise “in their own eyes” and “prudent in their own sight”! Mankind is creating a ‘god’ in their own image, rather than seeking and serving the “God” who created man in “HIS” own image! Peter refers to this willful rejection and arrogance.

“Knowing this first,

that there shall come in the last days

scoffers,

walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying,

Where is the promise

of his coming?

for since the fathers fell asleep,

all things continue as they were

from the beginning

of the creation.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of,

that by the word of God

the heavens were of old,

and the earth standing out of the water

and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was,

being overflowed with water,

perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth,

which are now,

by the same word

are kept in store,

reserved unto fire

against the day of judgment

and perdition of ungodly men.”   2 Peter 3:3-7

Peter reminded his readers that while God may not be active to their ‘satisfaction’, He is not dead, or as the song says, “Nor doth He sleep”! People choose not to believe the Word of God or God Himself, especially the person of Jesus Christ the Son of God—and that my friends, is the whole truth of the matter! God has called us to be His children through the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice for sin, and be empowered to walk in His Spirit so we would “not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”! Yes, we all stumble and fall but we are called to “walk in the light as He is in the light”, and that means we don’t’ stay in the dark. (See 1 John 1:5+)

But what about saying ‘I’m sorry’? Isn’t that enough? I think Paul has some advise that is timely on that issue.

“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter,

I do not repent,

though I did repent:

for I perceive that the same epistle

hath made you sorry,

though it were but for a season.

9 Now I rejoice,

not that ye were made sorry,

but that ye sorrowed

to repentance:

for ye were made sorry

after a godly manner,

that ye might receive damage by us

in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow

worketh repentance to salvation

not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world

worketh death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing,

that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,

what carefulness it wrought in you,

yea, what clearing of yourselves,

yea, what indignation,

yea, what fear,

yea, what vehement desire,

yea, what zeal,

yea, what revenge!

In all things ye have approved yourselves

to be clear in this matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:6-11

Paul reminds us that “godly sorrow” leads to repentance, while the “sorrow of the world” doesn’t! Because worldly sorrow is often only, “I’m sorry I got caught”, not “I’m sorry I offended God, and I don’t want to do it anymore”! This is what John talked about in calling believers to repent and “confess our sins”, meaning that we agree with God that ‘sin’ is ‘sin’—not justifying our ‘sin’ to simply cover up our error with a ‘convenient’ apology. When we truly repent with “godly sorrow”, God hears our plea, forgives us and cleanses us!

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ

his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-10

But as long as we fail to face or sin, and agree with God that it is sin, we will continue to fail and fall into the same sin time and time again. It is a sad state of affairs when we are more concerned with ‘fitting in’ than pleasing God with Holy behavior! But most today are so busy claiming that “we have not sinned”, that they don’t even hear The Word of God, much less any desire to adhere to its teaching or acknowledge its authority. There is no godly sorrow, until there is an acknowledgement that sin is sin. And foul, vulgar and crude language are sin, and ought not to be part of our vocabulary or our lives. If Jesus hasn’t changed my “mouth”, I might want to check and see if He has changed my heart! And Jesus knows those who are HIS own!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth

the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”   2 Timothy 2:19

Jesus made it clear that just “saying so” doesn’t “make it so”. A changed heart will be seen in a changed life, and a changed ‘tongue’!

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth

evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth

good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many

wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house

upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded

upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house

upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Matthew 7:16-25

Jesus said “Ye shall know them by their fruits”! I think that we ought to take this call to heart, and examine our hearts to be sure that we belong to Jesus! Does my walk reflect the glory of Jesus and the work of His Spirit in me, or do I claim His name with my lips crying, “Lord, Lord” while walking the world’s way? Are you experiencing “godly sorrow” that leads to repentance, or are you choosing the “sorrow of the world” which “worketh death”? Are you really ‘sorry’? Or are you simply sorry you got caught? Only you and I can answer those questions, but the answers are imperative to our spiritual welfare!

May God open our eyes to see what He sees.

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be

any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Amen and Amen!